Book Description

This multivolume work on the analysis of
algorithms has long been recognized as the definitive description
of classical computer science. The three complete volumes published
to date already comprise a unique and invaluable resource in
programming theory and practice. Countless readers have spoken
about the profound personal influence of Knuth’s writings.
Scientists have marveled at the beauty and elegance of his
analysis, while practicing programmers have successfully applied
his “cookbook” solutions to their day-to-day problems.
All have admired Knuth for the breadth, clarity, accuracy, and good
humor found in his books.

To begin the fourth and later volumes of the
set, and to update parts of the existing three, Knuth has created a
series of small books called fascicles, which will be published at
regular intervals. Each fascicle will encompass a section or more
of wholly new or revised material. Ultimately, the content of these
fascicles will be rolled up into the comprehensive, final versions
of each volume, and the enormous undertaking that began in 1962
will be complete.

Volume 4, Fascicle 1

This fascicle, enlivened by a wealth of
Knuth’s typically enjoyable examples, describes basic
“broadword” operations and an important class of data
structures that can make computer programs run dozens–even
thousands–of times faster. The author brings together and
explains a substantial amount of previously scattered but eminently
practical information known only to a few specialists. The book
also includes nearly five-hundred exercises for self-study, with
detailed answers given in nearly every case; dozens of these
exercises present original material that has never before been
published. Simply put, this fascicle is a must-have for anybody who
is faced with tough problems of a combinatorial flavor. It
demonstrates how ordinary programmers can make use of powerful
techniques that heretofore seemed to be available only to people
who used specialized languages and software. It shows how ideas
once thought to be “far out” are now ready to become a
part of the programming mainstream.